Durango-La Plata County to Northern Colorado Regional DRO → FNL
236 nautical miles (272 statute miles) northeast on a straight line, true course 032°, about 022° magnetic at the departure end (variation 10E). At 120 knots that is 1 h 17 min at the quickest height in today's winds (30,000 ft, a 64-knot tailwind), arriving about 2:15 am MDT (08:15 UTC), after sunset at the destination. Right now DRO is VFR, wind calm; FNL is VFR, wind from the south (170°) at 7 knots. For planning, not a briefing: the legal preflight briefing comes from Flight Service (1-800-WX-BRIEF) or the FAA's own tools. Airlines fly this pair: 1 flights in the DOT's last twelve reported months, the route's page.
The route the straight line, the warnings crossed, restrictions, pilot reports and the airports along the way · click a mark for its words
Green, blue, red and purple airport dots are the flying conditions reported there now (VFR, marginal VFR, IFR, low IFR); grey means no report. Red areas are SIGMETs, orange areas AIRMETs, hatched red areas temporary flight restrictions. Map tiles: OpenFreeMap, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Warnings the route crosses SIGMETs and AIRMETs whose area the line passes through or comes within 25 nm of
- AIRMET TANGO 2W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 35,000 ft to 45,000 ft. Over the first 39 nm of the route.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence below 18,000 ft up to 18,000 ft. Over the whole route.
- AIRMET TANGO 1W: low-level wind shear (due to air speed loss or gain of 20 knots or more below 2,000 ft above the ground). Over the route from 39 to 207 nm out.
- AIRMET TANGO 4W: moderate turbulence above 18,000 ft from 18,000 ft to 38,000 ft. Over the last 187 nm of the route.
A SIGMET warns of weather hazardous to all aircraft; an AIRMET of weather that matters to small aircraft and to flying without instruments. "From 60 to 180 nm out" is measured along the route from DRO.
Pilot reports along the route within 50 nm of the line, last three hours, the serious ones first
- urgent E75L at 9,000 ft, 31 nm northwest, 10:30 pm MDT (04:30 UTC): remarks: low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach. 128 nm along the route, 31 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
ASE UUA /OV ASE/TM 0430/FL090/TP E75L/RM LLWS +/- 20K 1000-1500 AGL ON APCH
- Report
- an urgent report filed through ASE
- Where
- over ASE
- Time
- 04:30 UTC
- Height
- at 9,000 ft
- Aircraft
- E75L
- Remarks
- low-level wind shear + 20K 1000-1500 above ground on approach
- PC12 at 26,000 ft, 25 nm southeast, 12:27 am MDT (06:27 UTC): light chop turbulence, remarks: ZDVWC-12. 98 nm along the route, 25 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
GUC UA /OV HBU090040/TM 0627/FL260/TP PC12/TB OCNL LGT CHOP/RM ZDVWC-12
- Report
- a routine report filed through GUC
- Where
- 40 nm east (090°) of HBU
- Time
- 06:27 UTC
- Height
- at 26,000 ft
- Aircraft
- PC12
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop
- Remarks
- ZDVWC-12
- CRJ2 at 22,000 ft, 20 nm southeast, 12:35 am MDT (06:35 UTC): no turbulence up to 26,000 ft, no icing, clear from 22,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent ZDVWC-26. 157 nm along the route, 20 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN220060/TM 0635/FL220/TP CRJ2/SK SKC/TB NEG BLO 260/IC NEG/RM DURD/ ZDVWC-26
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 60 nm southwest (220°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:35 UTC
- Height
- at 22,000 ft
- Aircraft
- CRJ2
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- no below 26,000 ft
- Icing
- none
- Remarks
- during the descent ZDVWC-26
- B738 at 23,000 ft, 10 nm southeast, 12:23 am MDT (06:23 UTC): no turbulence from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft, clear from 23,000 ft to 60,000 ft, remarks: during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06. 157 nm along the route, 10 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN230060/TM 0623/FL230/TP B738/SK SKC/TB NEG 230-260/RM DURD SSKII STAR. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 60 nm southwest (230°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:23 UTC
- Height
- at 23,000 ft
- Aircraft
- B738
- Sky
- clear
- Turbulence
- no from 23,000 ft to 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent sskii star ZDVWC-06
- E170 at 22,500 ft, 25 nm southeast, 11:06 pm MDT (05:06 UTC): light to moderate turbulence up to 23,000 ft, remarks: during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13. 157 nm along the route, 25 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN216057/TM 0506/FL225/TP E170/TB CONS LGT OCNL MOD BLO 230/RM DURD TBARR STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 57 nm southwest (216°) of DEN
- Time
- 05:06 UTC
- Height
- at 22,500 ft
- Aircraft
- E170
- Turbulence
- continuous light occasional moderate below 23,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent tbarr star ZDVWC-13
- A20N at 25,000 ft, 5 nm east, 12:19 am MDT (06:19 UTC): light chop turbulence up to 26,000 ft, remarks: during the climb ZDVWC-06. 177 nm along the route, 5 nm east of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN250045/TM 0619/FL250/TP A20N/TB OCNL LGT CHOP BLO 260/RM DURC. ZDVWC-06
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 45 nm west (250°) of DEN
- Time
- 06:19 UTC
- Height
- at 25,000 ft
- Aircraft
- A20N
- Turbulence
- occasional light chop below 26,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the climb ZDVWC-06
- B738 descending, 35 nm southeast, 12:15 am MDT (06:15 UTC): light chop turbulence. 216 nm along the route, 35 nm southeast of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN/TM 0615/FLDURD/TP B738/TB LGT CHOP
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- over DEN
- Time
- 06:15 UTC
- Height
- during the descent
- Aircraft
- B738
- Turbulence
- light chop
- B38M at 21,500 ft, 30 nm northwest, 10:33 pm MDT (04:33 UTC): light turbulence up to 25,000 ft, remarks: during the descent flati star ZDVWC-13. 226 nm along the route, 30 nm northwest of the line.
as filed, and in English
DEN UA /OV DEN305065/TM 0433/FL215/TP B38M/TB LGT BLO 250/RM DURD FLATI STAR. ZDVWC-13
- Report
- a routine report filed through DEN
- Where
- 65 nm northwest (305°) of DEN
- Time
- 04:33 UTC
- Height
- at 21,500 ft
- Aircraft
- B38M
- Turbulence
- light below 25,000 ft
- Remarks
- during the descent flati star ZDVWC-13
Winds aloft along the route, and the time en route the forecast for use 02:00–09:00 UTC · at 120 knots true airspeed
The eastbound cruising heights for this course (VFR: odd thousands plus 500 ft; above 18,000 ft the forecast levels), with the wind averaged along the line from the 3 forecast points nearest it (FMN, ALS, DEN). A plus sign is a headwind, a minus sign a tailwind.
| Height | Average wind | Head- or tailwind | Temperature | Ground speed | Time en route | Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7,500 ft | 230° at 23 kt | −22 kt | 12 °C | 142 kt | 1 h 40 min | 2:38 am MDT (08:38 UTC) |
| 9,500 ft | 230° at 26 kt | −24 kt | 11 °C | 144 kt | 1 h 38 min | 2:36 am MDT (08:36 UTC) |
| 11,500 ft | 240° at 38 kt | −35 kt | 5 °C | 155 kt | 1 h 31 min | 2:29 am MDT (08:29 UTC) |
| 13,500 ft | 230° at 42 kt | −40 kt | 1 °C | 160 kt | 1 h 28 min | 2:26 am MDT (08:26 UTC) |
| 15,500 ft | 230° at 46 kt | −45 kt | -3 °C | 165 kt | 1 h 26 min | 2:24 am MDT (08:24 UTC) |
| 17,500 ft | 220° at 51 kt | −50 kt | -8 °C | 170 kt | 1 h 23 min | 2:21 am MDT (08:21 UTC) |
| 18,000 ft FL180 | 220° at 52 kt | −51 kt | -9 °C | 171 kt | 1 h 23 min | 2:21 am MDT (08:21 UTC) |
| 24,000 ft FL240 | 220° at 57 kt | −56 kt | -22 °C | 176 kt | 1 h 20 min | 2:18 am MDT (08:18 UTC) |
| 30,000 ft FL300 | 230° at 69 kt | −64 kt | -28 °C | 184 kt | 1 h 17 min | 2:15 am MDT (08:15 UTC) |
| 34,000 ft FL340 | 240° at 71 kt | −63 kt | -34 °C | 183 kt | 1 h 17 min | 2:15 am MDT (08:15 UTC) |
| 39,000 ft FL390 | 230° at 58 kt | −54 kt | -45 °C | 174 kt | 1 h 21 min | 2:19 am MDT (08:19 UTC) |
Based on data from the 12th at 00:00 UTC; valid on the 12th at 06:00 UTC for use 02:00 to 09:00 UTC; temperatures above 24,000 ft are below zero. Heights are above sea level; a height is left out when the forecast has no wind for it over most of the line (the ground is higher). Ground speed is the airspeed less the headwind; the time en route is for the straight line and ignores climb, descent and routing around weather.
The forecast points as issued
| Point | From | 3,000 | 6,000 | 9,000 | 12,000 | 18,000 | 24,000 | 30,000 | 34,000 | 39,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FMN | used from 0 nm out; 58 nm from the line | 220/28 9° | 220/40 2° | 220/53 -10° | 220/62 -22° | 230/79 -28° | 240/91 -34° | 230/71 -45° | ||
| ALS | used from 49 nm out; 67 nm from the line | 230/37 4° | 220/54 -9° | 230/62 -22° | 240/77 -26° | 240/74 -33° | 230/59 -45° | |||
| DEN | used from 148 nm out; 54 nm from the line | 240/21 14° | 250/44 6° | 220/49 -8° | 220/49 -21° | 230/54 -30° | 240/57 -35° | 240/49 -45° |
The weather now: both ends and the airports along the way public airports with a weather report within 25 nm of the line, one for each stretch
| Airport | Where | Conditions | Wind | Visibility | Ceiling | Elevation | Reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DRO Durango, CO | departure | VFR Sky: overcast at 6,000 feet | calm | 10+ mi | 6,000 ft | 6,689 ft | 12:53 am MDT (06:53 UTC) |
| PSO Pagosa Springs, CO | 30 nm out, 24 nm southeast of the line | IFR Sky: a broken layer at 2,900 feet, a broken layer at 3,600 feet, overcast at 6,500 feet Weather: mist | variable at 1 knots | 1.75 mi | 2,900 ft | 7,663 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| GUC Gunnison, CO | 89 nm out, 12 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a few clouds at 6,500 feet | from the south-southeast (150°) at 3 knots | 10+ mi | none | 7,679 ft | 05:56 UTC |
| LXV Leadville, CO | 138 nm out, 10 nm northwest of the line | VFR Sky: a broken layer at 9,000 feet | from the south (180°) at 13 knots, gusting to 20 | 10+ mi | 9,000 ft | 9,933 ft | 06:53 UTC |
| BJC Denver, CO | 207 nm out, 14 nm southeast of the line, tower | VFR | from the south-southeast (150°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,673 ft | 06:35 UTC |
| FNL Fort Collins/Loveland, CO | destination | VFR | from the south (170°) at 7 knots | 10+ mi | none | 5,020 ft | 12:56 am MDT (06:56 UTC) |
The highest airport on this list sits at 9,933 ft; the ground between airports is higher still. Check the sectional chart for the terrain and the minimum safe heights along the line.
At FNL when you get there the forecast at the estimated arrival, 2:15 am MDT (08:15 UTC)
FNL has no terminal forecast; use the nearest airport that does.
The forecast for DRO, the departure
- From Mon 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): wind from the southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 feet, a broken layer at 6,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 am MDT (08:00 UTC): wind from the south-southeast at 7 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 6:00 am MDT (12:00 UTC) and 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 3,000 feet
- From Mon 12:00 pm MDT (18:00 UTC): wind from the south at 12 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, a broken layer at 5,000 feet
- From Mon 2:00 pm MDT (20:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 10 knots, gusting to 23, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 3,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- From Mon 5:00 pm MDT (23:00 UTC): wind from the south-southwest at 6 knots, visibility more than 6 miles, scattered clouds at 4,500 feet, a broken layer at 7,000 feet
- 30% chance between Mon 8:00 pm MDT (02:00 UTC) and 12:00 am MDT (06:00 UTC): visibility 4 miles, light rain showers, a broken layer at 4,000 feet
Temporary flight restrictions on the line or within 25 nm of it
No temporary flight restriction on or near this route right now.
Daylight
Sunset at DRO 6:37 pm MDT (00:37 UTC), at FNL 6:23 pm MDT (00:23 UTC) (civil twilight ends 6:50 pm MDT (00:50 UTC)). At 120 knots the arrival at FNL is before sunrise there (7:07 am MDT (13:07 UTC)).
Each restriction opens the FAA's own page with the exact area, heights and times. Ordinary notices to air missions (closed runways, lights out) are not shown: the FAA's notice search is not open to sites like this one at this time.
Radar and forecast charts for the regions crossed government pictures, the latest each time the page loads
Sources: the Aviation Weather Center's data service (SIGMETs, AIRMETs, graphical AIRMETs, pilot reports, winds and temperatures aloft, observations and terminal forecasts), the National Weather Service radar, the Weather Prediction Center's charts, the FAA's temporary flight restriction list and shapes, and the FAA's airport file for the positions, elevations and magnetic variation. Fetched when the page is viewed and kept a few minutes. Each leg is the straight line between its two airports; airways, terrain and airspace are not considered. The airports in detail: Durango-La Plata County, Northern Colorado Regional.